Expenditure on R&D carried out by private non-profit organisations in 2000-01 ($283m) increased by 29% (table 25.1) over 1998-99 expenditure.

Medical and health sciences comprised the major field of research for R&D expenditure in the private non-profit sector, accounting for $181m (64%) of the sector's total R&D expenditure in 2000-01. Labour costs continued to be the main component of R&D expenditure (47%) (table 25.13).

Medical and health sciences also comprised the leading field of research in terms of human resource use.

25.13 R&D RESOURCES, Private non-profit organisations by field of research - 2000-01

Type of expenditure

Land and buildings

Other capital expenditure

Labour costs

Other current expenditure

Total

Human resources

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

person years

Mathematical sciences

-

0.1

0.4

0.6

1.1

8

Physical sciences

-

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.6

4

Chemical sciences

-

0.2

1.1

1.3

2.6

21

Earth sciences

-

-

-

-

-

-

Biological sciences

0.7

5.2

40.5

30.7

77.1

883

Information, computing & communication sciences

-

0.2

1.5

1.2

2.9

27

Engineering and technology

-

n.p.

n.p.

n.p.

n.p.

4

Agricultural, veterinary & environmental sciences

-

n.p.

n.p.

n.p.

n.p.

9

Medical and health sciences

24.9

10.7

80.1

65.1

180.8

1,665

Other research fields

0.1

0.4

8.2

7.8

16.5

101

Total

25.8

17.0

132.7

107.6

283.2

2,721

Source: Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia, 2000-01 (8109.0).

In the private non-profit sector, Health was the main socioeconomic objective (table 25.14), accounting for 91% or $257m of total R&D expenditure. Education and training accounted for $17m (6%), while $5m (2%) was directed towards Economic development.